Factors influencing future perceptions of securing decent work among nursing students in South Korea: a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Globally, the population is aging rapidly []. In 2023, the elderly population in South Korea accounted for 18.4% of the total population, showing a rapid pace of aging []. In 2022, the number of elderly individuals aged 65 and over covered by health insurance was 8.75 million, with medical expenses for the elderly totaling 45.7 trillion 647 billion won, which is a 1.4-fold increase compared to 2018, indicating an increasing social and national burden []. Therefore, preparation for preventing and managing health issues from middle age onwards is necessary for a stable retirement. However, due to experiencing declines in physical, mental, and biological capacities and health, improper management of middle age can lead to significant challenges in old age []. Therefore, preventive care is crucial for preparing for life in old age, and various strategies need to be developed to enhance the quality of life (QoL) in middle age. Aging is a universal process that all humans undergo throughout their growth and development. When aging leads to visual impairment, hearing impairment, or cognitive decline, it can significantly influence QoL [-]. Vision, being one of the most critical sensory functions of the human body, when impaired, can negatively affect an individual's daily life and may lead to functional disabilities and other health issues []. Visual impairment affects work performance, mobility, and contributes to depression and anxiety, with more severe visual impairment leading to a greater reduction in QoL [,]. Presbyopia, which occurs due to a decrease in the ability to adjust focus, often first manifests in the early 40s, leading to the alternative term 'middle-aged vision [].' These symptoms of presbyopia during middle age can significantly impede daily activities, occasionally diminishing work productivity and overall life contentment. In the United States, the prevalence of visual impairment is 17% among adults aged 45 and older, rising to 26.5% among those aged 75 and older []. Aging is a prominent risk factor for visual impairment, with a higher incidence among the elderly compared to middle-aged adults. Despite this, the influence of visual impairment on QoL among middle-aged adults should not be underestimated, underscoring the need for targeted management and intervention. People experiencing hearing impairment negative influences in both physical and mental domains. According to a study utilizing census data from the UK, it was reported that one out of every ten middle-aged individuals suffers from significant hearing impairment, with the prevalence increasing particularly with advancing age, especially after the mid-50s []. Hearing impairment is associated with an increased risk of dementia [], depression, higher levels of stress, somatization, loneliness, and a negative influence on QoL [,,]. This is increasingly considered a significant public health issue, highlighting the growing need for hearing care management among the middle-aged population.